Early British Law

1. Early British Law Law 12

2. Trial by Ordeal • When the Romans left Britain in 410 CE the Britons turned to God to reveal the guilt or innocence of the accused • Only used if the sentence for guilt was death • The accused was forced to go through an ordeal

3. Trial by Ordeal • Trial by hot iron • The accused is forced to hold a hot piece of iron and the burn was bound of a number of days • If the wound had healed by the time the bandage was removed the person was declared innocent. • Rarely healed before the bandages were removed because the bandages were not sterile

4. Trial by Ordeal • Trial by Cold Water • The accused was thrown into a river or pond • If they sank they were innocent and if they floated they were guilty • Trial by Boiling Water • The accused would reach into a kettle of boiling water and a grab a stone, the wound was bandaged and if it was infected in 3 days they were guilty if not they were innocent

5. Trial by Ordeal • Ordeal of Cake • A cake was baked and the accused would swear an oath that they were innocent • The accused would then eat the cake and if they choked they were presumed guilty

6. Trial by Oath Helping • Used for less serious charges • Required people who knew the accuser would swear an oath on the Bible that he or she was innocent

7. Trial by Combat • Introduced in 1066 • The two parties involved in the dispute would duel • It was presumed that God would be on the side of the innocent and so the innocent man would win